[access-uk] Re: Fw: DRC Call for disabled internet revolt

From: "Tink Watson" <tink@xxxxxxxxxx>

To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2006 18:52:18 -0000

That's one particularly nice thing about PAS 78. It makes it clear
that the responsibility for accessibility does not lie entirely with the
site owner. There needs to be a sharing of responsibilities between the site
owners/developers, the developers of user agents such as browsers and screen
readers, and the people who use them in ensuring their skills are good and
their technology reasonably up to date.
Regards,
Tink.
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Adrian Higginbotham
Sent: Thursday, 16 March 2006 12:36
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Fw: DRC Call for disabled internet revolt
You're partly right of course Ray in that people are very good at whining
and not so good at doing something about it, and it's not just Blind people
of course, but consider also that bringing an action under the DDA even with
the support of the DRC is quite difficult. Speaking as someone who has done
just this all be it not in relation to the Web I have some idea what is
involved. I also worry about the amount of statistics floating around about
accessibility and the Web. The DRC research sited in the Register article
found that 81% of all one thousand websites audited failed to comply with
WAI single A guidance.
Some how this got translated in to 81% ofall Websites are inaccessible.
They aren't of course, neither you nor I, nor anyone else walks away from
eight out of every ten websites we visit because we can't find what we're
looking for. Similarly in researched published late last year it was
claimed that 97% of all public sector websites are inaccessible.
Again I would contest this claim. What is or isn't accessible is extremely
subjective and depends upon technology, experience, context and lots more
besides, it isn't always the Web developer or site owner that is at fault
either, it might be that the individual doesn't have access to up to date
technology, that they haven't had adequate (if any) training, that they have
less experience than others with similar circumstances, or dare one suggest
it that their access technology is flawed. There is as ever more than one
side to every story, for instance have a look at the following piece by joe
clark:
http://blog.fawny.org/2005/06/25/atf/articles
Adrian Higginbotham
Accessibility and inclusion adviser
British Educational Communications and Technology Agency - BECTA
Tel: Direct dial 024 7679 7333 - Internal extension #2287
Email: Adrian.Higginbotham@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Web: http://www.becta.org.uk/
BECTA, Millburn Hill Road, Science Park, Coventry, CV4 7JJ -----Original
Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Ray's Home
Sent: 16 March 2006 11:08
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Fw: DRC Call for disabled internet revolt
I think you reflect my views Adrian when you say "I do wonder if the
journalist who relates this fantasy and I were at the same event." I wasn't
at the event at all, but I think its maybe a case of the wish being father
to the thought, or something like that.
The only 'protest' or dissatisfaction I ever hear from blind people is the
sort whingeing and moaning that goes on in pubs. A lot of huffing and
puffing, and no action, let alone considered thinking.
Its True, certainly, there's a hell of a lot needs to be done, but with the
head as well as the Will. I did too post with a bit of tongue in cheek
attitude.
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: "Adrian Higginbotham" <adrian.higginbotham@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Having been involved in, and at the launch of what this article calls the
DRCs own code I do wonder if the journalist who relates this fantasy and I
were at the same event. Granted I haven't been privy to the DRC marketing
material associated with british standards institute, publicly available
specification number 78 (pas78) but the message conveyed by the piece from
the Register wasn't at all that being aired on Wednesday last. True Michael
Burton did say that the DRC would help any individuals persue cases in
relation to Web inaccessibility but it was hardly a rabel rousing call to
arms. Nor was it a critique of the Web accessibility Initiative guidelines.
Pas78 is not a new web accessibility standard it is simply a guide for
managers in how to ensure that the web services they buy are accessible.
The basis of the advice being that all existing standards to date have been
technical in nature and this has often lead to web developers trying to sell
accessibility to clients who have little or no understanding of it and may
conclude that it is just the techis trying to find another way to screw
money out of them.
I'm very disappointed in the register for such an illinformed and
potentially damaging piece.
Adrian Higginbotham
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